A DELIGHTED Scots mum is returning home queen of the world - at knitting.

Hazel Tindall is celebrating after clinching the world speed knitting title for the second time.

The 55-year-old pipped competitors from all over the globe to snatch glory at the tournament in America.

And she had to keep her nerve in front of an amazing crowd of more than 50,000.

They all packed into a huge shopping centre in Bloomington, Minneapolis, to see Hazel win with an amazing 262 stitches in three minutes.

The 2004 champion, from Aith, on Shetland, used custom-made 5mm steel knitting needles.

She admitted her only worry during the contest was all the television cameras.

But she was more relaxed watching the coverage of her win later. Hazel said: "They handed me this little trophy like a clock. I had a Shetland flag to wave but I don't think anyone knew what that was."

Hazel said her trip was "good fun and interesting" but says there are lots of knitters on Shetland who could give her a run for her money.

She added: "There's plenty that can knit fast - I'm sure I could be challenged.

"But sadly, probably not by anyone under 50 because hand knitting is a skill which is rapidly vanishing."

The Mall of America venue is one of the country's top tourist attractions.

But while her rivals practiced there, Hazel toured the twin cities ofMinneapolis and St Pauls.

She said "It would have been a shame to see nothing except the inside of a wonderful mall. It wouldn't be on my top 10 places to see, but I'mnot a shopper."